More Than A Favor

< More Than A Favor

Chapter 67

His joke instantly lifted my serious mood, making me laugh

as long as you can get someone else to do it for you.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” he replied.

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“Well, you won’t have to worry about that

I blushed, at a loss for words. How had our conversation turned so inappropriate?

Trying to ease the awkwardness, I said, “Ashton, whoever ends up marrying you will be really lucky.”

“Then why won’t you marry me?” He always knew how to catch me off guard.

I looked down, taking my time before answering, “I’m too complicated. Like you said, I have an ex- fiancé and messy relationships. You’ve never even been in love. You’re too innocent. I’m not good enough for you.”

Ashton stayed quiet. I watched him for a moment before heading to the balcony to check on my potted plants.

Soon after, I heard Ashton going downstairs. From the balcony, I saw him lying on the ground again, turning the water valve.

Was it fixed?

I went to the kitchen to test the faucet.

Clean water flowed smoothly through the new fixture.

As I stood there lost in thought watching the water, I suddenly felt someone behind me. Ashton’s long arm reached around me to turn off the faucet. His deep voice murmured in my ear, “Don’t you know how to save water?”

My heart fluttered. I tried to step away from his half–embrace, but he didn’t move.

“Ashton…” I raised my hand to push him away, but my palm met solid muscle.

It felt like touching a hot iron. The burning sensation spread through my hand.

My breathing quickened as I froze in place.

Ashton didn’t move or speak, but his eyes were fixed on me.

C

he was staring right

place, neither moving

both our

outside: “The new tenant’s boyfriend is so nice. Look how clean he got

shoved him away and quickly escaped to the

moment, I just stood

broke the awkward silence, walking out to ask, “Is this your parents‘ old

walking toward the photo wall. “You still look Just like you did as a

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< Chapter 67

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and family photos. I was wearing a red scarf, with my parents smiling on either side. Now looking at

at my certificates again – mostly awards for academic

excellent now,”

me. “You are.” He paused before adding,

every way

hard to meet his eyes. This guy was too straightforward, both in

all your help today. Let me treat you to dinner, then

to eager since I

added, “I need to wash my face.

I notice his dirty face and clothes. “Hold on, I’ll

there was a

“Just give me a towel.

something else but met his firm gaze. Reluctantly, I went to the bathroom, grabbed my towel, and handed it to him. “Use this –

on the tap to wash his

reason, I stayed watching. He washed his face in such a masculine way, splashing water on his face and running wet hands

winter, the water was cold. Before I could warn him, he was already drying his

with the

looked up, he caught me watching him in the mirror.

felt embarrassed, like I’d

lost count of how many times he’d made me feel flustered

was acting like some teenager experiencing their first

Logan and I were engaged, we never had moments like this.

him toilet paper. We were basically siblings. There was love, but not that spark between a man

asked, meeting his eyes in the

my face and hair with cold water from my military days.” His answer made me feel both impressed and

all soldiers have to use cold